Ottawa, ON, February 27, 2024 – The Shaw Centre, Ottawa’s premier convention facility, is proud to announce a strategic marketing partnership with the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC), aimed at promoting the Indigenous Tourism Destination Fund (ITDF). The ITDF offers an innovative way for Indigenous and non-Indigenous businesses to partner with ITAC to grow the Indigenous tourism industry from coast to coast to coast.
The ITDF was established by ITAC to accelerate the growth of Indigenous tourism in Canada. The program is designed to provide essential resources and support to Indigenous entrepreneurs, businesses, and communities seeking to develop and enhance their presence within the tourism industry. The Shaw Centre will promote this program directly to its clients and offer them a seamless avenue to provide a direct contribution to the fund.
“The Shaw Centre is excited to work with the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada in the promotion of the Indigenous Tourism Destination Fund,” said Nina Kressler, President and CEO at the Shaw Centre. “The promotion of this fund to our clients will create awareness of this essential program and grow Indigenous tourism within Canada.”
The Indigenous Tourism Destination Fund will offer a range of support mechanisms, including financial grants, mentorship programs, marketing assistance, and capacity-building workshops. These resources will enable Indigenous entrepreneurs and communities to develop and promote authentic tourism experiences that celebrate their traditions, history, and culture while generating meaningful economic opportunities.
Keith Henry, President and CEO of the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada, commented, “As we celebrate Ottawa’s Shaw Centre as a new partner for the Indigenous Tourism Destination Fund, announced at ITAC’s marquee event, the 11th International Indigenous Tourism Conference, we recognize the ground-breaking significance of this collaboration. The tourism industry throughout Canada supports reconciliation and Shaw Centre’s support of our new ITDF as true reconciliation in action.”
Through this collaboration, the Shaw Centre and ITAC aim to foster greater awareness of the ITDF and work towards ITAC’s vision for 2030, where the Indigenous tourism industry contributes $6 billion annually to Canada’s gross domestic product.
For more information about the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada and the Indigenous Tourism Destination Fund, visit ITAC’s website.
About the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC):
The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) is a national non-profit Indigenous tourism industry organization established in 2015. ITAC is the lead organization tasked with growing and promoting the Indigenous tourism industry across the country. Inspired by a vision for a thriving Indigenous tourism economy sharing authentic, memorable and enriching experiences, ITAC develops relationships with groups and regions with similar mandates to enable collective support, product development, promotion and marketing of authentic Indigenous tourism businesses in a respectful protocol.
About Shaw Centre:
Shaw Centre, formerly known as the Ottawa Convention Centre, is a state-of-the-art convention center that opened its doors in April 2011. The Centre, named the 2020 “World’s Best Convention Centre” by the International Association of Convention Centres (AIPC), hosts conventions, conferences, meetings, and events. Shaw Centre is governed by a board of directors and managed by an expert team, with a commitment to creating extraordinary events. Learn more at shaw-centre.com.
The Ottawa Convention Centre® Corporation is an agency of the Government of Ontario.
For More Information:
Josh Verch
Director, Marketing and Partnerships
Shaw Centre
613-294-1528
jverch@shaw-centre.com
English
Krystal Carter
tartanbond, on behalf of ITAC
647-271-2274
krystal.carter@tartanbond.com
French
Jeneviève Dulude-LeBlanc
tartanbond on behalf of ITAC
403-707-7549
Jen.leblanc@tartanbond.com
